Holiday Inn, Morn Hill

Type and size of project

Morgan Sindall was awarded the contract to build the Holiday Inn, Winchester against tough competition. The approach they took to the design was a hybrid build solution– incorporating a steel frame for the 2 storey open featured reception area, and timber frame for the bedroom areas. This approach required early collaborative working between the design team and all trades to ensure that the design was efficient and that the benefits of offsite construction could be fully realised.

Stewart Milne Timber Systems has the experience and products to meet these challenges and were appointed as the sub-contractor for Morgan Sindall on this development. SMTS worked closely with Morgan Sindall and their design team to ensure that the project was value engineered ensuring an economical timber frame solution from the out-set. Particular areas of focus included the design of the roof, detailing of spans over both the steel and timber structure whilst allowing for differential movement. This design process proved critical as Morgan Sindall had not utilised timber frame on previous hotel projects.

The timber frame contract value for the project was £438,000 which included the design, supply and erection (including all associated plant to erect the structure). A 140mm thick open panel structure (Sigma OP-1) was specified in order to achieve the thermal, acoustic and air tightness requirements. Large span prefabricated floor and roof cassettes were also specified to reduce the overall build programme whilst also reducing Health & Safety risk.

The timber frame build programme was 8 weeks. Due to the fast build rate early planning and preparation are vital to ensure that the project runs efficiently on site. The wider team worked collaboratively throughout the course of the project coordinating deliveries and plant requirements as wells as integrating with other trades.